I switched to natural deodorants a few months ago but they either don't work or give me a rash. My underarms get really irritated by aluminum-free stuff. Has anyone found something that keeps you dry without the irritation?
The irritation from aluminum-free stuff might actually be coming from the baking soda that's in most natural deodorants - a lot of people with sensitive skin react to that specifically rather than the lack of aluminum.
If you go back to a traditional antiperspirant, check the ingredient list to make sure it's baking soda free, not just aluminum free. Vanicream and similar brands do make them, but there are also some smaller brands focused on this exact problem that might be worth checking out if the big names don't cut it.
Try switching back to aluminum antiperspirant but looking for fragrance-free, dye-free formulas specifically labeled for sensitive skin - brands like Vanicream or CeraVe make ones that won't irritate like regular deodorants do.
The thing is, aluminum-free deodorants just mask odor rather than actually stopping sweat, so if your skin is reacting to the natural oils and baking soda in those products, you might genuinely need the antiperspirant function. Give your underarms a break for a few days too before trying anything new, since they're probably still irritated from the rash.
Some people also find that switching to deodorant sticks instead of sprays or roll-ons helps since there's less friction and fewer weird ingredients 🙂
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